Police warning to Littlehampton traders over bailiff call con

Tom Cotterill

POLICE are warning businesses in Littlehampton to be vigilant about suspicious requests for cash and threats of alleged action through bailiffs.

The latest report received by Sussex Police was of a man claiming to be working on behalf of Northampton County Court as a bailiff, who phoned a care home in Bexhill, saying that they owed money to an advertising website that had won a small claim against them.

The call is being linked to an earlier incident in Littlehampton, last month.

A hotel in Littlehampton was targeted on the March 25. Again the caller maintained that monies were owed for services and that bailiffs were nearby to collect goods or furniture.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “It appears that this man targets smaller local businesses, who are urged to be aware and follow this advice; if you receive any unexpected/suspicious calls from someone asking you to pay money over the phone - do not pay.

“Try to obtain the phone number the person is calling from using 1471. Report it by contacting the police via 101@sussex.pnn.police.ukor by calling 101.

“Alternatively you can call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, or go to their website at www.actionfraud.police.uk/to report the incident.”

The Bexhill incident took place on Thursday (April 9).

The police spokesman added: “The caller gave his name as ‘Craig Anderson’ and claimed that the money is owed immediately. When questioned the man made threats that his bailiffs are only a short distance away from the location and that if payment is not made immediately then the cost will increase.

“Fortunately neither company agreed to any such transactions to the man over the phone and reported it to Sussex Police.”

Police are appealing for anyone with any information that could help the investigation to email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call 101, quoting serial 770 of 25/03 for Littlehampton.